Darkwhispers

January 15, 2021
Two children and their stalwart chosen family sail a sky-ship beyond the known lands in this sequel to Brightstorm (2020). Maudie and Arty Brightstorm, orphaned 13-year-olds, were adopted into the crew of the Aurora after their adventure in South Polaris. Now all the Lontown exploring families are off on a quest to find a missing adventurer. If only the rescue attempt weren't led by the twins' archnemesis: their maternal aunt Eudora Vane, who had their father murdered. Arty suspects there's more here than a rescue mission. There's a mysterious signet ring, odd triangle tattoos, and rumors of a university secret society. He even keeps seeing an unusual word, Erythea. But his beloved Maudie, usually interested in whatever Arty does, is wrapped up in her new engineering projects and has no time for the mystery. They eventually find their way to the lost continent, a beautiful, tropical ecotopia led by scholars with extremely advanced technology who live in harmony with nature. This entry smoothly blends a warmhearted, lovely fantasy adventure with moral lessons inherent in discovering a utopian secret. The Lontowners read as White while the people of the Eastern Isles and the lost continent range from pale to brown-skinned. Arty's disability--he has one arm and no longer wears a prosthetic--is rarely mentioned, unlike in Book 1, in which it's beautifully and realistically handled. Final art not seen. A charming and thought-provoking sequel. (Steampunk. 9-11)

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2021
Grades 4-7 The brilliant Brightstorm twins return in this entertaining follow-up to their airship adventures in 2020's Brightstorm. In their last quest, Maudie, a thoughtful and brilliant engineer, and Arthur, more bookish and heart driven, raced to South Polaris to discover the fate of their missing explorer father. Though now confirmed orphans, the pair live happily with airship captain Harriet and her kindly crew. When another famed explorer, chasing rumors of a new continent, goes missing, Captain Harriet and the twins agree to help track him down. A few cryptic clues convince Arthur that there's more to the disappearance than everyone else believes, and that suspicion leads the crew to undiscovered worlds and perilous predicaments. The wonderfully descriptive story touches on many meaningful topics--the growing pains of adolescence, the bonds of family and friendship, and even the environmental impacts of exploration--but it's also a tremendous joy to get a further glimpse into this inventive world and its unusual inhabitants. Young readers will be eager to set sail once more in the splendid sky-ships.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.